Gulf Coast Community Foundation accreditation renewed for three years

Nonprofit has been certified by National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations® Program since 2006

This is among the banners that have been used on the website of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

The Gulf Coast Community Foundation received confirmation this month that its accreditation with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations® has been renewed for three years, the nonprofit has reported.

“Administered by the Community Foundations National Standards Board, a supporting organization of the Council on Foundations (COF), the accreditation is considered the nation’s highest standard for philanthropic excellence,” a news release explains. “Gulf Coast has maintained compliance with these National Standards since 2006, shortly after the accreditation program was introduced,” the release adds.

“The National Standards program certifies U.S. community foundations that meet and exceed federal and state law requirements in practice and by policy,” the release notes. According to the Council on Foundations, “undertaking the rigorous accreditation process demonstrates a community foundation’s commitment to accountability and excellence to its donors, its community, policymakers, and the public,” the release points out. Accredited community foundations such as Gulf Coast “model the best practices in the philanthropic sector, benefitting all stakeholders and the larger community,” the release adds.

“Documenting our adherence to these rigorous standards is painstaking but vital,” said Veronica Thames, Gulf Coast’s chief operating officer, in the release. “Maintaining compliance and completing the months-long reaccreditation process amid the COVID-19 pandemic shows our donors and nonprofit partners how committed Gulf Coast is to integrity and excellence as we serve and support them,” she pointed out in the release.